The Biker's Chameleon

Rebecca (Chapter 3)

I have to get out of here. Looking around the room I look for any exits, but there aren't any. The windows don't have locks or any way of opening that I can see, not to mention we are definitely not on the ground floor.

I slide off the king sized bed, taking in the painfully bachelor decor of the room. Dark comforter, almost navy blue but more gray, the dark curtains on the windows, no pictures on the walls at all, the desk in the corner has papers and Manila folders haphazardly spread all over it, and the kitchenette has a coffee pot on the counter and a toaster.

Great. I'm stuck in the room of a boring caveman. I have to get out of here.

I walk around the room trying to figure out what to do, then I notice the camera in the corner. Freaking weirdo.

I wander around the room looking for something to throw at the dumb thing. The last thing I want is some creep spying on me, although I don't see a red light, so maybe it isn't on. It might just be to scare people into behaving. I think as I scowl at it. Not taking any chances I flip off the camera as if that would solve every problem I've ever had.

I hear footsteps coming down the hall and immediately I rush silently to hide behind the door. Maybe I can slip out before they realize where I am.

"Yup. She is 20. Don't know her story yet... I was hoping she'd tell us instead of us having to dig up all the paperwork and files."

"We don't have maybe 20 year old girls in town... she is probably new, we have had a few people move in the past few months."

"Yeah that is what I was thinking. She is a spitfire though. Kinda... When she was working I didn't even notice her until she came to change the ketchup, I was surprised I didn't hear anyone coming to the table then when I looked up I see this girl who barely looks 18. I get she is 20, but still."

"So she is quiet but has a spirit she hides? That's usually the kind of girl who is hiding something or hiding from something."

"I know. Well, I left her in my room, let's she is she has destroyed it yet."

Both men laugh as the door opens and I hold my breath, willing myself to be perfectly quiet as they walk in and pause two feet inside the room.

"Where did she go... my windows don't open."

"The door was locked right?"

"Yes, so she didn't leave by the door."

"Vents? My own ol' lady tired escaping through the vents once when someone kidnapped her... not that you kidnapped this girl, but she doesn't exactly know our intentions are to find her a better job."

I pause at that comment, do I trust that? what if it's bait? What if they want to lure me out of hiding? Not happening. I am getting home to my baby.

I silently sneak around the door behind them and as soon as I am in the hall I bolt. I don't know what floorboards are squeaky so sneaking is a dumb idea.

I run down the stairs and right into the hard chest of another biker. Frick!

"What the...?"

"Uh... sorry... I'll just... I was just..."I bolt again but he grabs my arms gently and calls up the stairs.

"Hey, Prez! Taz! You lose this little lady?"

"Let go of me!"I yell at him, no longer trying to hide, just desperate to get away.

Footsteps come thundering down the stairs as Taz and 'Prez' come down. The older man who I'm assuming is Prez grins at me in pure amusement, while Taz looks exasperated.

Looking at both of them side by side, they look like brothers. Prez would definitely be the older brother, he looks like he is about mid thirties, but Taz in comparison looks about mid twenties. Isn't that young to be a high ranking biker leader or whatever they are?

"Let her go, Tex. It's okay."

I stand perfectly still when the guy let's go of my arms. Run! Run you freaking i***t! I scream at myself mentally but I don't move. I'm like a deer frozen by headlights as Taz walks up to me and ducks down just enough to look me in the eyes.

"We won't hurt you. I promise."

He gently wraps his arm around my waist and softly pushes me back towards the stairs. I dig in my heels and he just sighs.

"Please, come back upstairs. We just want to talk."

"No."The word out of my mouth surprises even me as I continue pushing back against his arm. Finally, Prez steps forward and says seriously.

"Look. We don't want to hurt you, force you, or anything. We took an oath to protect all the women in our town, and that includes you. So we just want to find a decent place for you to work at while we deal with Al."

I study his eyes. He seems to be telling the truth, and I have heard about MC's that will go to outstanding lengths for the women in their town whether they are biker girls or not. Maybe they are good?

"I hour. Then I go home."I say as firmly as I can.

Both men nod and Taz gestures to a bar counter with stools. The seats look like motor cycle seat, which I'll admit to finding pretty cool, and the counter top is definitely a custom top as it has little bikes carved into the top and polished. The cabinets behind the bar have glass in the door so you can see what is inside and I can't help being impressed by the details put into it all for just a Motorcycle Club.

_____________________________________________________

Taz

_____________________________________________________

I have never seen a girl so quiet but fiercely independent before in my entire life. It makes me want to kiss her and make her my girlfriend, but that will never happen. I'm 25, 5 years older than her. Some girls act like that is a decade.

"Have a seat. I'll get you some water."

I don't wait for her answer as I go behind the bar and grab a glass to fill with ice water and a lemon slice. I slide the glass to her then make the exact same thing for myself. When she doesn't touch it I take a long drink from her glass and raise an eyebrow.

"See. It's safe."She really doesn't trust easily.

She finally take the glass and sips it. Prez watches her for a moment and then asks gently."What is your name, girl?"

"Rebecca."

"You moved here recently?"

"Yes... why?"

"We have rules in this town. Rules for the business owners. Rules Al knows but broke anyway when hiring you."

She looks furious for a second then understanding flashes in those beautiful gray eyes.

"No one under 21 works in a place that serves alcohol. Right?"

"Exactly. So tell us what your passions are, what your dream is... what you want to do, and we'll find a place for you to work that you'll actually like."

"What happens to Al's place? Mr. Caveman right there made it sound like it'll be closed."

Prez and I both snort in laughter. Caveman? yeah I guess I deserve that.

"Caveman? Gosh, I love it!"Prez says as he slaps his knee. He's oblivious to how Rebecca flinches at the sudden movement, but I caught it and almost shove him off his stool for it.

"What happens to Al's place?"

She asked again stubbornly.

"It'll go up for rent. Why?"

"You want to help me get my dream job? Let me have the place. Then I won't tell the cops you kidnapped me."

Both Prez and I look at each other, completely amused. Guess she doesn't realize the cops let us do our own thing cuz we keep the town safe.

"Are you blackmailing us?"

"Yes."She tries sounding confident but she sounds like she thinks she made the worst decision of her life. I can't help but wonder what could possibly be so important to her that she thinks she has to blackmail us.

"Why do you want it. Not for a Bar and Grill I assume."I ask her seriously.

"I want to turn it into a salon. Your town doesn't have one."

A salon? This tomboy dressed gorgeous young girl wants to run a salon?